Art of feeding molten glass



K. g. PE'ILER ART 0F FEE/DING MOLTEN GLASS Aug. 19, 1930.

ug. s, 1912 s sheetsQsheet 1 Original Filed A Aug. 19, 1930. K. E. PEILER 1,773,544

ART 0F FEEDING 'MOLTEN GLASS Original Filed Aug. I5, 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet '2 [zaag/ador.' /'Z Efealer Aug. 19, 1930.

K. E. PEILER' ART OF FEEDI'NG MOLTEN 'GLASS 3 Sheeis-Sheet 3 oiginal Fnad Aug. 3, 1912.

Patented Aug. 19, 1930 KARL E. PEILER, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT,

AssIeNon, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T0 HARTFORD-EMPIRE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE .A RT 0F AIFESEIDIN G MOLTEN GLASS Original application led August 3, '1912, Seriall'i'o. 713,143. Divided and this application led Iarch. 7,

1916. Seria1`No. 82,654.

This invention comprises improvements in the art of feeding molten glass in separated masses or gathers in suitable plastic condition for subsequent shaping operations.

This invention is especially desirable and useful in connection with 'automatic or semiautomatic machines for pressing and blowing glassware, in which it is important to feed the molten glass to a mold, or to successive molds, in gathers of uniform size and at uniform intervals of time` and in synchronism with the machine.

The-inherent viscosity and other peculiar properties and characteristics of molten glass impose special'and peculiar diculties upon the work of-separating itinto unifo delivered in regular and reliable succession vat predetermined intervals of time. The molten 'glass adheres tenaciously to feeding or gathering implements unless the latter are kept. so coolA as to injuriously chill the glass. On 'account of this viscous and tenacious character of the glass, its separation into masses or .gathers tends to draw it more or Iless nequally and irregularly into cords or threads, which chill quickly and furtherincrease the difficulty of separating the'masses uniformly, and of maintaining them in the un masses,

uniformly heated and plasticcondition which is desirable for pressing, or blowing, or otherwise shaping them to best advantage.

According to vthe present invention, the molten glass flowing fr om the outlet of a melting furnace or. other receptacle is Wound or coiled or rolled upon itself until the desireelamount of glass is accumulated, whereupon Athe winding or coilingoperation is partly or vwholly arrested or reversed,` or

otherwise varied so'as to shed or discharge they accumulation, the separation being aided if desired by any suitable severing device. These alternate accumulating and shedding operations are repeated, andfregulated as to rapidity of occurrence and the amount of glassv fed, by suitably adjusting the rate of flow of the glass and the `frequency of the shedding operations. l This invention may heappliedin practice in various ways, one of which is-illustrated in the accompanying drawings in connection other supply`fto-form the taken approximately throug r dinal centerof'the head, the latter not being shown' in section. f i-Figs. 5, 7, 9 and `11 are a with an approved form of apparatus, in which the molten glass is owed from a melting tank or furnace, or other source of supply to a rotary gathering or accumulating head, until the latter has accumulated the required quantity 0f g1ass`,when by slowing ory stopping or reversing the rotations of the head its accumulated gather of glass is allowed to Asag or slump down and form a drop or globule suspended below the headby a diminisho ing neck orthread, which `lsheds and parts itself, or is severed by a shear or other severing device. The gathering head is then again rotated, thus Winding up the glass thread or stub attached to it and also accumulatingansucceeding drop or gathen by maintenance of a regular flow of the molten glass, its accumulation upon the gathering head and its suspension and severence therefrom at regular intervals, ,-0 charges or gathers of glass of uniform size are produced `at uniform intervals of time. These may be delivered by any. suitable means to the mechanism by which it is to be shaped or' otherwise acted upon, the time 'of oper-v 75 ation of the shaping mechanism and of the feeding devices being suitably-'synchronized with eachother. f' l:-'f-,'`

This application is" a division of my-'prior application Serialll'o. 713,143, filed-August 80 3,1912-- 1 Figure 1 of the drawings is a' front view -of the apparatus refered to, in section taken ering head, the glass being shown "invsection h the longitue5 end views projectedfrom Eigs. 4, 6, 8 and 10, respectivel and are shown in cross-sec` tion taken su stantiallyacross-the largest 100 into the next accumulation,

lated degree of `walls of the hood extend down far enough to form a hot chamber enclosing diameterof the gathering head. Figs. 12, interruption being proportional to the re- 13 and 14 are additional end views, especially spective periods required for gathering and and absorption, of the thread or cord or stub from which the previous'accumulation was severed. Figs. 15 and 16 are detailed views showing a part of the drive for the punty.

rIhe glass melting tank or furnace 1 containing the supply of molten glass 2 is provided with an outlet spout 3 along which a stream 4 of the molten glass flows. A gate 5 made of refractory material, for regulating the size of the stream, and for stopping it altogether when necessary, is herein shown to be suspended from abracket 6 by means of a rod 7, threaded nuts 8 or any suitable device being used for adjusting the size of openin beneath the gate. The spout 3 is prefera ly enclosed bv a hood 9, alsoof refractory material, for confining the heat and maintainin the flowing stream in a suitable heated con ition. One or more gas jets 10 are also preferably provided as shown in Fig. 2, for maintaining a suitable and reguheat within the hood. The

illustrating the winding up the accumulating drops or gathers, the c amber being large enough to allow the drops or gathers to accumulate to the requiredsize without touching the walls of the chamber, and to leave room for a hot gaseous envelope to surround the gathers or gobs, as they are sometimes named.

The stream of molten glass 4 flows from the end ofthe spout upon a rotary gathering or accumulating head 14, which is herein shown projecting through an opening in the side of the hood, the parts exposed to the heat being made of suitable refractory material. The head 14 is carried by a suitable stem or shaft 15, which is mounted for rotation in the bracket 16, or anyr other suitable frame, which may be appurtenant to or integral with the general structure of the furnace. The shaft 1,5 is provided with a. friction roller 17, through which rotary motion is communicated to the head from a friction disc 18, which is mounted upon a shaft 19 journaled in a bracket 20 and is driven by means of a4 belt "applied to the pulley 21 from any convenient source of power.

The rotative speed of the gathering head may be varied by changing the size of the pulley 21, or the relative size of the friction roller 17 and disc 18, or in any other convenient way. j

In order to produce intermissions in the rotation of the gathering head, to allow theaccumulated gathers to become suspended and severed therefrom, the peripheral driving surface of the friction disc 18 is interrupted as shown at 22 in Fig. 2, the relative length of the driving surface and of its dischar ing drops or gathers of the required size to orm a mold charge. Obviously this will depend upon the size of the stream of glass flowing to the head, and the frequency of the operat-ions. The size and form of the head should be properly adapted t-o these conditions.-

For convenience in thus proportioning and altering the alternating periods of rotation and restof the gathering head, the friction disk isy preferably made in two adjustable parts as shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16, clamped together by a bolt 66 passing through a slot 68 in the disk 64, which permits these disks to be adjusted circumferentially relative to each other, so as to vary the lengths 67 of the circumferential interruption and thereby correspondingly vary the periods of intermission during which the gathering head rests from its rotation. For all purposes now contemplated it is considered permissible and preferable thus to entirely interrupt the rotation of the gathering head during the discharging operation, and since this can be accomplished by the simplest forms of driving devices, it is thus illustrated herein. It will be obvious, however,

ment of the operation itself, since for the discharge of the glass it is only necessary to retard the rotations of the head sufliciently to enable the glass to slip down over the surfaces of the head faster than those surfaces carry the glass `up. Therefore in possible instances wherein it may be found preferable thusto merely slacken the rotations of the head, or even to reverse them, as above suggested, either of these may be accomplished by various well-known and comparatively simple forms of mechanism.

In instances where sufficient time can be al-` lowed, shear mechanism may be dispensed with and the suspended drop be permitted to separate itself from the gathering head by its own weight, which may be aided by restarting the head earlier, thereby winding up and attenuating the thread, to make its severence more denite and uniform. But for best results I prefer to employ means, which may be of any well-known form, for severing the drops or globules of glass. The severing means shown herein comprises ka pair of shears, the blades 27 and 37 of which are pivotally mounted upon a common center. The lower blade 27 is fixed upon a collar 28, appui-tenant to a sleeve 29, which extends downwardly through and has a bearing in the bracket 30, the lower end of the sleeve having upon it a bevel gear 31 meshing with the driving' bevel gear 32 upon the shaft 33 j ournaled in the bracket 34. The upper blade 37 is secured to the collar 38, fixed to the shaft that this is due to the availability of4 simple mechanism rather than to the require-4 end the -bevel gear 40. Oscillating movement ered from the head may fall directly'into the is communicated to the shaft 33 and its drivmg gear 32 by means of an arm 42, to which is pivoted a connecting rod 43 having upon its upper end -a cam roll o r pin 44 running in av cam groove 45 in the face of the cam 46, which issecured to and turns with the shaft 19. As a lmeans of guiding the upper end of the connecting rod, it is here shown to be provided with a slot 47 through which the shaft 19 passes, a collar 48 being employed upon the outer side of the rod to retain 1t in position against the cam.

The drop or gather of glass afterbeing sevmold orother receptacle for which it is intended, in case the construction and arrangement ofthe associated machinery enables this to be done; or, as shown in Fig. ;1,-the severed relative to the drop may fall upon transporting means such asa chute 51 supported by a cross bar 52, to which the chute may be pivotally clamped at 53 tol permit the chute to be inclined at the proper working angle. The delivery end of the chute may extend to and above a mold 54, or'successlon of such molds, upon amold supportin table 55, or to any other arrangement to W ich the glass is to be delivered.

The rotary gathering head is here shown to be in the general form of a spheroid,the axis' of which is preferably'inclined, as showninthe drawings,

'back the glass from flowing across that polar portion of the head during its rotating and accumulating period.

The form and disposal of the accumulations of glass are obviously determined by the size and form of the head, and its disposal,

plane of the winding on action.

In the operation of this invention, the stream, of molten'glass flowing against. or

upon the revolving surface of the head and flowing thence sidewise toward the polar portions of the head is thus wound around the surface and accumulates thereon as indicated by -comparison of Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive. When a sutlicient amount of molten glass has 'thus been accumulated by the head, its rotation is slackened or stopped and theglass at i once begins to sag downwardly thereon as shown in Figs. 8 'and 9, the greater portion of the glass thereon forming a lpear shaped intervals and thus separa-te to overcome they tendency the` glass would otherwise have of Rowing along -ing means-are preferably employed, such as the shears illustrated and described herein, which sever theattenuated neck at regular the portion above it, the drop falling into or upon the chute, or being otherwise taken care of, as may be desired. This leaves the head, with the glassremaining upon it, and whatever amount of glass has flowed upon it during the Severin operation, in approximately the condition 's coincident with the -severing operation, the head resumes its rotation, and absorbing the severed stub end of the thread 61 as shown in Figs. 13. and 14, and thus continuing the accumulation of another drop as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive;-

The size of-the drops formed ma be varied by varying the volume or the rapi ity of flow` of molten glass to the head, or by varying the length of the interval from one stopping and severing operation to the next. The size of the head,.its rotative speed,the time of the all 'be varied to give the desired results. In. stead of stopping the head altogether to allow the glass to saghdown and form the drop its rotative speed may be merely diminished so that the glass upon the head iows down faster than it is .carried up again by the rotating movement. Or the vdirection of rotation of the head maybe reversedto allow the drop to shed, and in this case the reversed direction may be continued` for the succeeding gather.

The supply'of glass may be made to flow against or upon the head elther by gravity or in any other available way. A l

It is considered preferable, to provide va hood and gas jets,or other means, for heating the interior of the hood as herein shown, since this prevents undue chilling of the glass drop or gather, maintaining it in uniform plastic condition. It also'servesto prevent undue chilling ofthe attenuated neekfof the drop, and serves to keep hot or to reheat the remaining stub of glass left by thefsevering operation. The shear device may be of lany suitable kind, and its blades may' be protectedfrom the heat when in their open or inactive position by means of/ shields of suitleft to itself would be the drop from r own in Fig. 12. Practically' thus winding up j smY vThesizeandform of the gathering head l 14, lthe angle of inclination of\its axis, andthe rate, direction and variance of its rotation may be modified to suit diierent requirements. The other features of the `appara-l` tus may also be modified and varied in size, proportion, and disposal relative to Veach other, to suit different circumstances or conditions of service.

In my application Serial No. 713,143 filed August 3` 1912 (of which this isa di-` vision) 'I make claims directed to the rotating gathering member without recital of the shears and without limitation to varying thel rotation of the gathering member, or results produced thereby.

I make no claims in this application directed broadly to a usi` of the heated chamber,

as I reserve this subject matter for other applications tiled by me and copending with this applicationl` but 'I limit the claims i-nvolving the use ot a heated chamber tothe combination of the heated chamber withspecific devices of this application.

I cla-im as my invention zl.' The method of separating molten glass into mold charges, which includes lthe steps of dischargingthe glass through ai'i'outlet,

` suspending the discharged glass in successive masses by its adhesive contact with a support spaced below the outlet and shearing a mold charge from' each suspended mass at a' plane spaced belowth'e suppot.

2. The method of separating molten glass into mold charges, which includes the steps of dischargingl the glass through an outlet, periodically retarding the downward movement of the issued glass by its adhesive contact with a' support below the outlet to form av succession of suspended masses of the glass, and shearing a mold charge'from each suspended mass. l

The method of separating molten glass into mold chargeswhich includes the steps of discharging the glass through anoutlet,

periodically -retarding the downward vmovement of the issued glass by its adhesive contact with a support below the outlet to form a succession of suspended masses of the glass` shearing a mold charge from each sus Y ei'ided mass, and raising the stubr of glass eft by each shearingoperation. 1

- 4. The method of separating molten glass into mold charges, which includes the steps of discharging the glass through an outlet', periodically retarding the downward movement of the issued glass by its adhesive contact with a support below the outlet to form a succession of suspended masses ofthe glass, shearmg'a mold charge from each suspended mass, and incorporating in a succeeding mass the stub of glassleft by each shearing opera-v tion.-

5. The

method of separating molten" glass into mold charges, which ,includes the steps of discharging the glass through an outlet, accumulating `and suspending the glass in successive compact masses by acting period' ically directly on the glass below the outletand inde endently of the 'glass above the."

- between t ie 'severing opeiations.

7. Ap aratus for separating molten glass into ino d charges, comprising a container for the glass having a discharge outlet, shears operatingto sever the mold charges from the discharged glass periodically, and means external to said outlet for controlling the accumulation and suspension of successive tions within the container and in timed relation to the shear operations, and for incorporating in the succeeding mass the stub of glass left by each severing operation.

`8. Apparatus for separating molten glass into mold charges, comprising a container for the glass having a discharge outlet, shears operating to sever the mold charges from the 'discharged glass, and movable means externalto said outlet operating in timed relation to the shearing `means and independently of conditions within the container for governing the periodic delivery of the glass in successive suspended masses to a position-below the shearing plane and adapted to raise the stub of glass remaining after each shearing operation. Y y

9. Apparatus for separating molten glass into mold charges comprising a. .container for the glass having a discharge outlet. shears operating periodically beneath the outlet to sever the glass','and means operating on the glass beneath the loutlet to control its suspension` in successive masses in timed relation to the operation of the shears, said means being adjustable to vary the time of beginning the suspension period of each mass relative to the time of severing of such mass. 10; In apparatus for separating molten glass into mold charges, the combination with a container for the glass having a discharge outlet. of shears operating periodically beneath the outlet. means operating beneath the outlet for .timing the delivery of the glass in successive suspended masses in timed relation to the operation of the shears for severing such mass, and means for varying said timed relation.

e .11. Apparatus for separating molten glass Amasses of the glass independently of condilllll periodically beneath the outlet to sever the glass, controlmeans operating beneath the outlet to control the periodic suspension and discharge of compact' masses of the glass in timed relation to the operation of the shears, said control meansbeing adjustable to vary the length of the discharge period without varying the frequency of the severing opera tions.-

l2. Ap aratus for separating molten glass into' moldp charges, including a container for the glass having an outlet, shears operating periodically beneath the outlet to sever the glass, control means operating beneath the outlet to controlthe periodic dischar e and f suspension of compact masses of the g ass 1ntimed relation to the operation of the shears,

said control means being ad'ustable to main tain the same length of 'scharge period upon increase or decrease .of the frequency of the severing operations.

13. In a' device for separatinga stream of molten glass into mold charges, a gathering head having an approximately spheroidal form, with its axis inclined from the horizontal, and means for variably rotating the.'

head upon its axis, for the purpose specified.

lfor imparting intermittent' rotationsto the head, "and shear mechanism synchronized with the friction disk for severing the masses of molten glass during the intermissions in the rotation of the head.

16. In a devicefor separating a stream of molten glass into mold char es', a` rotatable gathering head, and means w olly outside of said container and for rotating said head intermittently, including frictional driving surfaces having their continuity interruptedv by ini-.eryals for producing the desired intermissions in the rotations of the head.

17 In a. device for separating a streamfof molten glass into mold charges, va rotatable gathering head and means wholly outside of said container and for rotating said head,

, including cpacting frition members, the frictionaldnvmg surface of one of the saidmembers being Interrupted to f correspondingly interrupt the rotative movement of the head and'l adjustable to varythe period of interruption relativeto thedriving peri'od.

1j8. In a device for separating a stream of molten glass into mold charges, a gathering head mounted for rotation upon an inclined axisg'means for directing the stream of molten glass to said head, means whollyoutside of said container and for intermittently rotating said head to alternately accumulate glass thereon and to discharge it periodically therefrom in separated masses; c

19. A feeder for molten glass, comprising a gathering head mounted for rotation upon an inclined axis, means for owing a constant stream of .molten glass upon said head, means wholly outside of said container and for intermittently rotating said head to alternately accumulate glass thereon and to discharge it periodically therefrom in separated masses, and means for severing Vthe 'discharging masses of glass from the head in timed relation to its rotations.

20. `The combination of` a glass furnace havingan orifice to Adischarge a stream of glass, a shearing mechanism in the ath of How ofsaid` stream of glas's,.a cham er surrounding the orifice and the glass flowing therefrom and the shearing mechanism; and means within the chamber for vaing the speed of'low of the stream toward t ing mechanism.

' KARL E. PEILER.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,773,544. Granted August' 19, 1930, to RARI. E. PEILER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 111, claim 9, line 122, claim 10, page 5, line 2, claim 11, line 14, claim l2, after the word "means" insert the words wholly outside of said Container and; same page, lines 47 and 48, Claim 16, lines 55 and 56, claim 17, lines 67 and 68, claim 18, and line 76, Claim 19, strike out the words "wholb1 outside of said container"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these Corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent 0fice.

Signed and'sealed this 21st day of October, A. D. 1930.-

M. J. Moore, (Senl) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

